Band chain reel



E. W. KRAFT BAND CHAIN REEL July 19, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1948 EUGENE W. KRAFT INVENTOR m I I r AT TiNE Y v July 19, 1949. h E, w. KRAFT 2,476,878

BAND CHAIN REEL Filed Sept. 4, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VIA:

EUGENE M. KRAFT INVENTOR Patented July 19, 1949 2,476,878

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

" 2 ,47 6 ,878 I"" j J" 1 BAND CHAIN REEL a Eugene W. KrafLChicago, 111., assignor .to Keuffel & Esser Company, Hoboke'n; N. J;, a cor poration of New Jersey Application September 4, 1948, Serial No. 47,775.

This invention relates to a reel for band chains or measuring tapes and is particularly useful for reelswhich' must take relatively long lengths of band chain or tape, 1. e. of the order of 300 ft.

Claims; (Cl. 242-84.8)

to permit the band chain 3 to pass into and out of the closure 8. t

The surfaces of the flange I4 are spaced at difierentdistances from the tape confining sure and longer. I 5 faces l6 and I8 of the plate 4. In the limiting Band chains or long measuring tapes are norcase one of the surfaces of the flange I4 may mally made in two standard widths which are be at zero'distance or coincide with the 'adj A and e e". Reels are known in the art which cent surface of 'the plate 4'. The surfaces [6 and are capable of taking band chains of either of 18 f ep t 4 te e at the p p r radius these widths or'of other widths. 10 to fit closel'ywithin the annular projection II] of One of the objects of this invention is to prothe p a e Either one 1311601711611? 0f Sp vide a reel of the type described capable of resurf es 3 a d I5 a engage pa g s f ceivin-g band chains or other equivalent measur- M e si e" o theblosure Band the width of ing tapes of at least two different widths; the tape W h i n r c iv dep d upon which Anoth r bject of th inventi i t simplify side of the surfaces I6 and I8 of plate 4 are faced the manufacture of band chain reels by making wa the plate 2 during assembly and which only one type of reel suitable for tw or more of the spacing surfaces I3 and I5 are secured in band chain Widths depending on the manner in e e m n iwi h rf e whichitis assembled. V The plate'Z is provided with a central hole These and other objects of the invention and which receives the bushing This n fl the method of their attainment will become more may b 0f amaterial having better bearing D OD- apparent from the following description taken in erties than that f the plate a P BthE connection with the accompanying drawing in plate 2 m be'of a die cast'alumihum 811037 a which; v thebushing 20 may be bronze;

Fig. I is a view in front elevation showing the axle" is provided- Witha reduced journal new d chain reel portion 24 journaling in the bushing '20. Beyond Fig 11 i a i i sectional Side elevation the reduced journal portion 24 the axle 22 is protaken through t centerline I1 II of Fig I videdwith a further reduced threaded portion showing t band chain ree1 26, beyond which it is provided with a second re- F g. 111 i a vi in sectional side elevation duced journal portion 28. The threaded portion t k through t centerline f Fig I 26 engages internal threads in the spool 32, showin the'new band h i reel assembled to thereby centering it in the band-chain retainreceive anal-rower band chain ing space 8. The journal portion 28 journals Fj g IV is a View in emarged Sectional Side in the bushing-30 provided in a central hole of elevation showing part of the new band chain 5 the plate A Spring Washer 34 is Provided reel to more clearly indicate the manner in which tween the plate 2 d the spool 32 which serves it is assembled to hold the axle 22in position against the bush- Referring to the figures, the fiat members 2 mg and 4 which in this embodiment may be The crank arm 36 is fastened to the a de 2 2 as by described as disclike plates are fastened together the Screws The crank handle 33 1S plvotauy as by means of the Screws 6 forming a band mounted tothe crank arm 36. The crank arm 36 chain retaining space 8 to receive the band chain and crank handle 38 provlde mea-ns for mtatmg 3 The 1 te 2 and 4 m b u t the pool 32 to wind the band chain 3 on the reel. a S t e eonvehlen y Gas The spool 32 is provided with fastening means 44 out of suitable material such ems-aluminum. The 45 (see Fig. I) w m the band chain 3 is plate ls provld ed h an anntnar pro-lectlon tached. 'The' cylindrical outer surface of the Whlch s h ed t a p g Surface I2. spool is recessed in the region'of the fastening The plate 4 is provided with an outer flange havmeans 44 so that the latter does not interfere ing spacing surfaces I3 and I5 on each side either with the winding up of the band chain 3; one of which may engage and be secured in en- Theplate 4is provided with a recess 42 larger gagement with as by means of screws 6 the spacthan the outside diameter of the spool 32. When ing surface l2 of la AS s wn in Figs. the plate 4 is reversed from the position shown II, III and IV the spacing surfaces I3 and I5 are in Fig. II to the position shown in Fig. III, part flat but they need not be so limited. The anof the spool 32 fits into the recess 42 and the nular projection I0 is cut away at II (see Fig.1) 5 5 closure 8 islimited by the confiningsurface l8 of plate 4 and the confining surface l'! of plate I V is reeled or unreeled.

The flat member thee}; notnecessa'rily be. .5

formed from a casting but may be made for example from two fiat pieces of sheet material such as sheet metal joined at their fiat surfaces-at the plane forming the bottom of the recess 42. One

of the flat pieces will then have a central hole the si e e ss and he e r wi l car y he bushing 30. In this case the plane at which-the fla Pi ces 1 1 rre e eb a o eei i e i a s c n urf ce o he la ge "lfhe't e' ne piec wi d fe in uts e diam terbytwice he width of the annular projection lllof thefia't memb r 2- The o at pie es could eieine by rivetin or other suitable means;

I is not n essary t at the. li t mem ers 2 and 4 h e a c rcu ar fo m F r e am e th co ld lee s ot d fiat member In, one, of the soaked fiat members each spoke would beprovided with =a projection having the same sectional structure as shown for the projection Ill in Fig. 11 to pro-.

vide a spacing surface In the other spoked flat member each spoke would end in a portion of 'rei duced thickness having surfaces spaced at different distances from'the confining surfaces of the sto d plate member e rre pend ste t e S faces of the flange I4. V I 7 These spoked fiatmembers could be convene iently built up from fiat rnetal pieces or sheet in themanner already described for circular or diseflike flat members to prqvide'fiange surfacesfat diiferent distances from the confiningsurfaces of the flat members. The projections at the ends of the spokes of the one plate member could be conveniently joined by rivets or other means to t n of the fi s eke p ee fermed, from sheet material.

If de e n n on may be extended to permit the reel to take any one of four band eh n of fi ent d hs brm ins-me flat member 2 reversible as well as the flat member 4,

In which case the that member 2 could be pro;

vided with an annular projection en both sides to provide spacing Surfaces at different distances from the confining surfaces of the flat member. Alternately, the projection -6 could be made detachable from the fiat member 2, in which case fiat member 2 could be provided with a flange similar to flat member d and the different spac- 1-0 are provided with air holes 50 and 52 which allow air to move in or out of the closure 8 as thetape V c r 4 term band chain as used herein is meant to embrace these other measuring tapes.

7 What is claimedisi' 1. In aband chain reel for receiving a band chain, two flat members having confining surfaces to confine the edges of a coiled band chain inparallel planes, one ofsaid flat members having eenfi'nme .Surfaceson each side thereof, each flat member having spacing surfaces, the flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof having spacing surfaces adjacent to its edge on 'bQth-Isides differently spaced fromthe adjacent confining, surface ofsaid flat member, said flat mbers being capable of being assembled in two waysdwl'i'en assembled in one way the spacing surfaceon one side of 'said fiat member having confining-surfaces on each side thereof being made to'engageand being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other flat member to form, a' band chain retaining space between said flat-members for taking a'narrow bandchain, when assembled in the otherway thespa'cingsur fa'ce'onthe other side of said flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured inengage'ment with the spa'cing'surface of the other flat mem ber to'form a band chain retaining space be.-

tween said flat members for taking a wider band 7 chain, spool means insaid taperetaining space about which the band chain may be wound, means for fastening the band chain to said spool means and means for rotating said spool means for'winding band chain on'the reel.

2. Ina band chain reelfor receiving aband chain, two substantially disclike plate members having's'urfaces to confine-the edgesof a coiled band chain in parallel planes, one of said disc: likeplate members having confining surfaces on each side thereof, each disclike plate member having spacing surfaces, the disclike plate memher having confiningsurfaces on each side thereof 'having a flange at its periphery the surfaces-on both side's of which form spacing surfaces, difplate members being capable of bein assembled in two "ways; when assembled in one way the.

spacingsurface on one side of said flange being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacingsurface of the other disclike plate member to form a band chain retaining space between said disclike members for taliing a narrow band chain, when assembled in the 7 other way the spacing surface on the otherside of said flange beingmade to engage and'being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other disclike plate member to form a band chain'retaining space between said disclike members for taking a wider band chain, spool means in said tape retaining space about which the band chain may be wound, means for fastening the band. chain to; said spool means and means ings would'be accomplished the same manner Z n r o t t aft r t e Pl e aden reversed.

Although the invention been described connection with an embodiment, ofa, reel used 7 forband chain in relatively. long lengths, it should for: rotating. Said spool means for winding band eha t the ree l Q o l r 3,1 a. band chain reel for; receiving a band ch in. two. flat: mem s ev n S aces o'c fine the edges Of a coiled band chain in parallel planes; oneof said flatv members having confin ing surfaces oneach side thereof, each flat membe realized that the principles herein taught will 7 V beuseful in a reel for any type of flexible measuringtape whether of long or short length and'the ber having spacing surfaces, theflat member havingfconfininfg surfaces on each side thereof'having spacing surfacesadjacent ,to its. edge, on both sides differently spaced from the adjacent con fining surface of; said fiat member, saidLflat member having confining "surfaces: on 5 each side thereof being made up of two pieces of sheet material having corresponding surfaces which are secured in contact one of the corresponding surfaces extending beyond the other to form One of the spacing surfaces of the fiat member, said flat members being capable of being assembled in two ways, when assembled in one way the spacing surface on one side of said flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other flat member to form a band chain retaining space between said fiat members for taking a narrow band chain, when assembled in the other way the spacing surface on the other side of said fiat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other fiat member to form a band chain retaining space between said flat members for taking a wider band chain, spool means in said tape retaining space about which the band chain may be wound, means for fastening the band chain to said spool means and means for rotating said spool means for winding a band chain on the reel.

4-,. In a band chain reel for receiving a band chain, two flat members provided with radially extending spokes having surfaces to confine the edges of a coiled band chain in parallel planes, one of said fiat members having confining surfaces on each side thereof, each flat member having spacing surfaces, the flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof having spacing surfaces adjacent to its edge on both sides differently spaced from the adjacent confining Surface of said fiat member, said flat members being capable of being assembled in two ways, when assembled in one way the spacing surface on one side of said flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other fiat member to form a band chain retaining space between said flat members for taking a narrow band chain, when assembled in the other way the spacing surface of the other side of said fiat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other flat member to form a band chain retaining space between said fiat members for taking a wider band chain, spool means in said tape retaining space about which the band chain may be wound, means for fastening the band chain to said spool means and means for rotating said spool means for winding the band chain on the reel.

5. In a band chain reel for receiving a band chain, two fiat members provided with radially extending spokes having surfaces to confine the edges of a coiled band chain in parallel planes, one of said flat members having confining surfaces on each side thereof, each flat member having spacing surfaces, the flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof having spacing surfaces adjacent to its edge on both sides differently spaced from the adjacent confining surface of said flat member, said flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made up of two pieces of sheet material having corresponding surfaces which are secured in contact one of the corresponding surfaces extending beyond the other to form one of the spacing surfaces of the flat member said fiat members being capable of being assembled in two ways, when assembled in one way the spacing surface on one side of said flat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other flat member to forin a band chain retaining space for taking a narrow band chain, when assembled in the other way the spacing surface on the other side of said fiat member having confining surfaces on each side thereof being made to engage and being secured in engagement with the spacing surface of the other flat member to form a band chain retaining space for taking a wider band chain, spool means in said tape retaining space about which the band chain may be wound, means for fastening the band chain to said spool means and means for rotating said spool means for winding band chain on the reel.

' EUGENE W. KRAFT.

No references cited. 

